Even though we have been getting more rain this winter, California continues to face unprecedented drought.
With California facing water shortfalls in the driest year in recorded state history, on January 17, 2014, Governor Brown proclaimed a State of Emergency and on July 15, 2014, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted emergency statewide regulations to require all California water agencies to mandate water-use restrictions.
Subsequently, A Level 2 Drought Alert was issued for San Diego County and Vallecitos Water District customers, calling for mandatory water conservation measures that will keep as much water as possible in storage for 2015 and comply with the emergency water conservation mandates adopted by the state.
More recently, Governor Brown then issued an Executive Order on April 1 that called for new and expedited actions to reduce water use.
Consequently, the City of San Marcos is discontinuing the irrigation of medians and parkways along City streets with decorative grass areas. As part of the same order, the City will also reduce watering of landscapes by at least 25 percent compared to 2013 water usage. This has mostly been achieved in response to the Level 2 drought restrictions.
The affected grass areas will soon turn and remain brown until alternative designs and resources are developed. The City apologizes for any interim aesthetic concerns and requests patience from residents as San Marcos works to convert the affected lawn areas into more sustainable landscapes.
